Senegal: Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken the oath as the youngest Senegalese president with 54 percent of the vote. He promised to bring about significant changes, greater independence, and stability after years of violent unrest.
Despite having no prior election experience, the 44-year-old won the first round of the election with a pledge to implement radical reforms. This victory came just 10 days after his release from prison. The left-wing pan-Africanist said that, “Before God and the Senegalese nation, I swear to faithfully fulfil the office of president of the Republic of Senegal.”
The young President pledged to adhere to the constitution and laws of the country and safeguard territorial integrity, national independence, and strive for African unity. The official transfer of power from outgoing President Macky Sall will take place at the presidential palace in Dakar. Faye, along with his mentor and popular opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, was released from prison just two weeks before the election following a political amnesty granted by Sall.
Senegal’s reputation as a sturdy democracy in West Africa was put to the test during the recent election. The country experienced a period of unrest that was sparked by the arrests of Sonko and Faye last year, as well as concerns that the president would seek a third term in office despite constitutional duration limits. Rights groups reported that dozens of people were killed during the protests and around 1,000 were imprisoned.
Faye, who campaigned on pledges to tackle corruption and enhance the administration of Senegal’s natural resources, arose victorious. His win was widely seen as mirroring the feelings of the country’s young people who are dispirited by high levels of unemployment. Critics also accused former colonial ruler France of using its ties with Senegal to enhance itself.
POPULAR | Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins Senegal Presidential election
